Electric time clock and thermostatic dial for same



Sept. 13, 1938. w. SAMBUR ET AL ELECTRIC TIME CLOCK AND THERMOSTATIC DIAL FOR SAME Filed April 9, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 fm/enlors p 1933- w. SAMBUR ET AL 2,129,878

ELECTRIC TIME CLOCK AND THERMOSTATIC DIAL FOR SAME Filed April 9, 1955 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F913. my. 2'4.

mwm's 9- 7 M 7 WWW 4 Sept. 13, 1933. W. SAMBUR ET AL. 2,129,878

ELECTRIC TIME CLOCK AND THERMO STATIC DIAL FOR SAME Filed April 9, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 13, 1938 PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC TIME CLOCK AND THERMO- STATIC DIAL FOR SAME William Sambur and Abraham Nissenfeld,

' Jamaica, N. Y.

Application April 9, 1935, Serial No. 15,358

19 Claims.

Our invention relates to time control apparatus, and more particularly to time control apparatus for heating systems.

Hitherto it has been customary in large apart- 5 ment and office buildings to operate the heat intermittently for predetermined periods in a prearranged schedule.

An important object of our invention is to provide means for automatically varying the pre- 10 determined periods in the prearranged schedules by allowing for changes in temperature conditions outside the building.

Other objects are to provide a unique time control apparatus in which the predetermined pe- 16 riods of operation may be varied with the least difliculty, and in conjunction therewith provide a novel electrical switching system by which said operations may be carried out with the maximum eificiency. 20 We accomplish these results by an improved time clock having a double dial. The dials are rotated together by a time clock and one of the dials is adjustable with respect to the other permitting the predetermined periods of the prearr. ranged schedules to be varied according to the changes in the outside temperature as hereinafter described. This method of heating a building according to prearranged schedule of operations can easily be made to accommodate for the time lag in any heating systems and can also take care of periods when higher or lower temperatures are desired. The adjustable dial, by lengthening or shortening the on period of the heating system, adjusts this novel heating control in accordance with changes in the outside temperature.

Other objects and additions of this invention will become apparent in the following description and drawings, in which:

0 Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an electric time clock with the invention attached thereto, with portions broken away to show the arrangement of the parts.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a detail showing how the movement of one of the dials is attained.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing the same detail in another position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 represents a dial with three switching units radially placed about its circumference.

Fig. 7 shows an enlarged fragmentary view of the outer dial taken through line '|1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a time clock with a single dial embodying various features of this invention.

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram of the time clock illustrated in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram of the time clock illustrated in Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is an end view of one of the tabs used on the dial.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the tab illustrated in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an end view of another type of tab.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the tab illustrated in Fig. 13.

Referring to said drawings, in which like numerals designate like elements, the reference numeral H] (see Figs. 1 and 2) represents a housing for an electric time clock containing a time keeping unit ll suitably attached to said housing, by means of bolts Ha, with a projecting rotating shaft I2. A dial I3 integrally mounted on an insulated flanged disc l4, by means of bolts l4a, is secured to the projecting shaft I! by means of lock nut 15 and a spring washer [6. Set screw l1 firmly holds the lock nut IS on the shaft 12. Contacting tabs 18 are manually inserted in slots [9 which are radially disposed about the circumference of dial l3, and are contacted by Y-shaped rocker arm 20, and control the heat source in a manner hereinafter described. Contact tabs l8 are individually shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

A shaft extension'35 threadedly engages dial l3 and is held in a fixed position therewith by means of set screws 36. The shaft extension is provided with grooves 31 (see Fig. '5) in which is set a keyed washer 38 which engages collar 39 by means of spiral slots 40. Auxiliary dial M is rigidly attached to collar 39 by means of 40 bolts 39a. Coil spring 42 exerts pressure against keyed washer 38 and the inner portion of the dial 4| tending to maintain keyed washer 38 and flanged cap 43 against the lever arm 44.

Flanged cap 43 is set over shaft extension 35 and bears against keyed washer 38. The lever arm 44 with a hardened bearing 45 inserted at its point of contact with flanged cap 43 is supported at the insulated pivot base 46 which is attached to the bottom of housing It) by means 50 of bolts 46a. Coil spring 41 is attached to an insulated mounting block 28 by means of bolt and nut 48. The mounting block is attached to the housing In as will be'hereinafter described.

A threaded hook 49 is attached to coil spring 41 and passes through lever 44. Knurled thumb nut 50 threadedly engages the hook l9 and is used to adjust the tension of coil spring 41. It can be seen therefore that coil spring 41 holds the lever 44 in contact with flanged cap 43 against the action of the spring 31.

Sylphon bellows 5| is supported by bracket 52, which is suitably attached to mounting block 28. Tube 53 is attached to bellows 5| and connects the bellows 51 to tubing 63 through the insulated mounting 28 and the casing I0 is illustrated in Fig. 1. Tubing 63 leads to the thermostatic bulb 64 which is exposed to the outdoor temperature. Insulated cap 54 threadedly engages the outward portion of bellows 5i and bears on. lever M and rotatably actuates it about its pivot depending upon the movement oi. the bellows.

Thus it will be seen that movement in the bellows will cause the lever arm M to be affected thereby and will transler this ei'lect to the flanged cap 43, thence to keyed washer till causing collar 39 to rotate dial 4i. This is clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

Contact tab 55 (see Fig. '7) is hooked to inner groove 56 on auxiliary dial ll; hook spring til engaging one of the notches at the circumference of auxiliary dial ll tending to keep contact tab 55 in place. Contact is inclividually illustrated in l3 and i l.

These tabs are set about the circumference of the dials which rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l, so as to maintain a set schedule of operations. When the outdoor temperature rises, the pressure in bulb lid increases and is transmitted through tubes 53, 53 into bellows 5|, indicated by dotted lines for clarity. Bellows 5| then expands moving lever M away from dial 4! which in turn rotates dial ll in a clockwise direction with relation to dial l 3, shortening the distance between tabs 55 and i8 and increasing the distance between tabs 55 and l8b. (See Fig. 1.) Since tab 55 is an on tab and tabs l8 and lab are off tabs the distance be tween tabs 55 and 18b determines the on period and the distance between tabs l8 and 55 the off period. The shortening of the distance between tabs 55 and I8 by the clockwise rotation of. dial 4| tends to shorten the on period, and lengthen the off period at the same time. The converse occurs when the temperature decreases, rotating dial 4| in a counterclockwise direction lengthening the on period and shortening the off period.

Thus we have an automatic readjustment of a set schedule of operations when changes in temperature occur, without hindering the regular time movement of the two dials. Should a con dition arise where two tabs should over-ride each other is illustrated in Fig. '7, the spring 58 which holds tab 55 to dial M, would permit tab 55 to leave its radial position and maintain the proper sequence of on and oif" operations. When the dials readjust themselves so that no tabs override each other, then spring 58 will pull tab 55 back to its initial radial position. in Fig. 7 sets of tabs are illustrated in a separated position, a close position and in an overriding position. The extended lugs on tabs 18 maintain the proper spacing between the tabs to permit the rocker arm 20 to function without jamming.

The electrical control device which actuates the heating control system is provided by the solenoid mechanism which is controlled by the sole noid circuit actuated by the tats. The movement of the solenoid controls the electrical means controlling the heat supply which is not shown.

The solenoid circuit starts with the electrical supply main 60 and SI of relatively low voltage. One main Si is connected to the lever 44, thence its current flows through the entire dial mechanism to the tabs l8 and 55. The insulated flange disc I 4 prevents the current from entering the time keeping unit I I.

The position of the tabs in Fig. 2, indicates that the "oii tab I8 has just engaged the Y-shaped rocker arm 20. Contact tab 55 is new approaching the Y-shaped rocker arm 20, and will cause the solenoid mechanism to operate and throw the heat control to the on position.

V-shaped rocker arm it is pivotal y mounted on a shaft the secured to mounting which is made of insulating material, and WhlCll s in turn securely fined to the housing it by oi bolts tile, as indicated in. Fig. 2. insulated switch arm lll is rotatably mounted which is also fixedly secured to the Yoke lid is also mounted on shaft l the movement of switch arm 2i b3 oi a coil spring M as illustrated. llron i on 25 and title are pivotally attached at pg 25. i directs respectively to each end oi the yoke l. oper ate in conjunction with. solenoids l t? which are also fastened to the mo it by means of screw head bolts its and it i .t, as indicated. Contacts 29 are attached insulated switch arm 2!! and are electrically connected to the rocker arm in by means oi connecting wire till. Switch arm 2i through pin lilo co role the movement of. V-shaped rocker arm acting on arm Zll within the slot 2%.

Contacts 29 make contact with contacts 3] when in one position and with contacts ll?! when in the alternate position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. Contacts 3i and 32 are attached to the insulated bars 33, supported by insulated angle sections 35, bolted on 23 by 31a.

The solenoid circuit may be traced from the contact tabs l8 and 55 to the Y-shaped rocker arm 20, through lead 30 to the contact lit. When the off tab l8 has made contact with the rocker arm 20, it will be in the position shown in solid lines Fig. 2. When contact 55 engages the rocker arm, the current flows into the contact 3 I, thence from lead 3ia into solenoid 27. This causes the solenoid plunger 25a to be drawn into the solenoid 2'1, forcing yoke 23 to assume the position indicated by the dotted lines. As yoke 23 moves spring 24 past its pivot point 22, switch arm II is moved to the dotted position carrying along a leg of rocker arm 20 and assumes the dotted position. Rocker arm 20 is now clear oi contact tab 55 but is in front of contact tab it and ready for its next contact.

As dial l3 continues to rotate, tab it contacts rocker arm 20 creating another circuit as i'ollows: current enters at current source ti, flows through lever M, flanged cap 43 through the metallic parts or dials 4i and 13 through contact tab it and rocker arm it through lead wire 3|! contacts 29 and 32, through lead 320: to solenoid ill, to current source 60 completing the circuit. Solenoid 2B is now energised drawing plunger 25 from the dotted position to the solid position in solenoid 26. Yoke 23 moves to the position indi cated by the solid lines, moving switch arm 2| and rocker arm 20 to their solid positions. Rocker arm 20 is now clear of tab 18 and ready for the next operation when contacted by one of the other tabs 55. 'This illustrates the operation of the switching mechanism.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, dials l3 and 4| are illustrated withcontact tab 55 attached to dial II and tabs l8 inserted in slots IQ of dial l3 as these two dials rotate in a counterclockwise direction, as seen from' Fig. 1, first one then another of the tabs 55 and I8 contact with rocker arm 20 actuating the solenoid switching mechanism.

From the foregoing, it will be clear that dials I3 and 4| rotate at the same. speed at all times. Heat variations can only produce a change of position of dial 4|, with respect to dial l3, by forcing the keyed washer 38 to change its position on the grooved shaft extension 35, which will cause dial 4| to take on an angular shift depending on the direction the keyed washer moves. This will momentarily change the speed of dial 4 but inherently it rotates with the keyed washer which can never vary its speed from that of the shaft extension which is integral withdial l3.

In Fig. 1, insulated switch arm 2| in addition to carrying contacts 29 carries with it on either side a plurality of switching contacts (see Fig. 1) for making and breaking the main electrical circuit (not shown) for controlling the heating system. Thus, when the insulated switch arm 2| moves to the dotted position as indicated on Fig; 2, it breaks the plurality of contacts 3| which not only control the solenoid circuit and mechanism but also the adjacent circuits for controlling the heating system. In the position indicated by the dotted lines, the contacts 29 engage the con- -tacts 32 thereby connecting the associated circuit,

as indicated, in the desired manner.

The device may be used as an ordinary time control mechanism by utilizing only one dial l3 and adding contact spring 59, as illustrated in Fig. 8. Contact tabs I8 and |8a are similar tabs, one being inserted with its wider portion protruding from one side of the dial and the other with the wide portion protruding from the other side of the dial. This clock operates similarly to the time clock heretofore described, the electric current flowing through contact spring 59 instead of the omitted parts (i. e., lever 44, etc.). Due to the small distance the dial need travel to cause the switching mechanism to operate, this type of time clock is superior to prior time clocks in thatit canv operate a complete on" and foif cycle in a very short space of time.

a desired sequence. In Fig. 6 a time clock is illustrated with three switching units 62 A, B, C,

respectively, radially arranged about dial I3, each unit similar to the solenoid mechanism mounted on 28 in-Fig. 8. As dial l3 rotates counter clockwise the on and ofi contacts operate each of the switching units in rotation so that units 62 A, B and C are operated in succession. These units each operate auxiliary circuits for controlling electric lights, locks, heating units or any other mechanism it may be desired to operate by the time control mechanism.

Fig. 9 illustrates the electrical circuit for one unit, such as 62A. Fig. 10 indicates the electrical circuit for three units as 62 A, B and C, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

In operation, the time keeping unit contains mechanism such as a synchronous electric motor which revolves the extended shaft l2, .preferably one revolution in twenty-four hours. The dial l3 may have numerals inscribed on its face in the conventional manner to facilitate the placing of the contact tabs IS in their proper slots l9 to maintain a correct schedule of operations, as desired.

We have thus produced an efllclent time con trol apparatus for causing a heating system to operate in a series of predetermined periods along a prearranged schedule, and in addition, we have succeeded in varying the predetermined periods without necessarily varying the schedule, in accordance with changes in outside temperature.

While this invention is shown and described with some degree of particularity, it will be realized that other modifications and changes may be resorted to. We therefore do not wish to be limited and restricted to the exact details shown and described but reserve the right to make such changes and modifications as may fall within the scope of the claims.

What we claim is:

1. An electric circuit making ,and breaking device consisting of a timing unit, dials attached to shaft of same, contacting tabs radially placed about the circumference of said dials; a rocker arm that engages said contacting tabs causing an electric circuitto operate, means to utilize said electric circuit to operate a switching mechanism and to move saidrocker arm from one position to another substantially as described.

2. In an electric circuit making and breaking device, a time keeping unit with a metal dial attached to shaft of same, means to insulate said dial electrically from said shaft, notches radially placed about the circumference of said dial, and contacting tabs for insertion in said notches.

3. In an electric timing device, a timing source, a metallic dial attached to the shaft of same in an insulated manner, said dial having a notched circumference, contacting tabs for insertion in said notch circumference, said contacting tabs being reversible so as to be operable on either side of said dial.

4. In an electric timing device, a timing source, a time indicating dial, contacting tabs set in radial slots about the circumference of same, a rocker arm contacting said tabs causing an electric circuit to operate, means to move said rocker arm out of contact with one tab or set of tabs and into position to make contact with another tab or set of tabs and to operate an auxiliary circuit, means to maintain said rocker arm in .1 either position, substantially as described. This time clock is also adaptable to be used as a time control, operating a multiple of circuits in 5. In an electric timing device, a timing source, a timing dial attached to the shaft of same, an auxiliary dial attached to said timing dial in an adjustable manner, means to automatically vary the relationshipof said dials.

6. In a time control apparatus including anelectrical c rcuit, a supporting means having a plurality of contacts "on for opening the circuit arranged in predetermined positions; separate supporting means having a plurality of contacts off arranged in predetermined positions, and spaced in a predetermined relationship with respect to the "on contacts so as to close the circuit after it has been opened; and means for varying the predetermined. spacing between the on and off contacts.

7. In a time control apparatus for opening and closing an electrical circuit, a plurality of contacts for opening said circuit intermittently, a series of auxiliary contacts for closing said circuit after said circuit has been opened, and thermostatically controlled means for varying the positions of all of one group or contacts with respect to the other.

8. A time control apparatus for controlling a series of operations in sequence, comprising a clock mechanism, a plurality of dials for controlling and indicating the sequence of a series of operations, and means for varying the angular position or said dials.

9. A time control apparatus for controlling a series of operations in sequence. comprising a clock mechanism, a plurality of dials for controlling and indicating the sequence of a series of operations, and thermostatically controlled means for varying the angular position of said dials.-

10. A time control apparatus, comprising a clock mechanism, a main dial operated by said mechanism containing a series of contacts, an auxiliary dial operatively connected to said main dial and carrying an additional series of contacts, and a circuit controller for engaging said contacts, and means whereby the contacts of said main dial, and the contacts of said auxiliary dial are alternatelyengaged by said circuit controller.

11. A time control apparatus, comprising a clock mechanism, a main dial operated by said mechanism containing a series of contacts, an auxiliary dial operatively connected to said main dial and carrying an additional series of contacts, a pivotally mounted means for engaging said contacts, and means whereby the contacts of said main dial, and the contacts of said auxiliary dial are alternately engaged by said pivotally mounted means.

12. A time control apparatus comprising a clock mechanism, a main dial operated by said mechanism containing a series of contacts; an auxiliary dial operatively connected to said main dial and carrying an additional series of contacts, and a pivotally mounted means for engaging said contacts, said pivotally mounted means alternately engaging 'the contacts of both dials and successively engaging all of the contacts of each dial.

13. A time control apparatus comprising a clock mechanism, a main dial operated by said mechanism containing a series of contacts; an auxiliary dial operatively connected to said main dial and carrying an additional series of contacts, and means whereby the position of the contacts on one dial may be angularly shifted with respect to the contacts on the other dial.

14. A time control apparatus comprising a clock mechanism, a main dial operated by said mechanism containing a series of contacts; an auxiliary dial operatively connected to said main dial and carrying an additional series of contacts, and thermostatically controlled means whereby the position of the contacts on one dial may be angularly shifted with respect to the contacts on the other dial.

15. In a time control apparatus including a circuit, a supporting means having a plurality of "on" contacts for opening the circuit arranged in predetermined positions; separate supporting means having a plurality of ofi" contacts arranged in predetermined positions, and spaced in a predetermined relationship with respect to the on contacts so as to close the circuit afterit has been opened; means for varying the predetermined spacing between the on and oil contacts; and means for providing a minimum spacing between the on and oil contacts.

16. In a time control apparatus including a circuit, a supporting means having a plurality of on contacts for opening the circuit arranged in predetermined positions; separate supporting means having a plurality of off contacts arranged in predetermined positions, and spaced in a predetermined relationship with respect to the on contacts so as to close the circuit after it has been opened; means for varying the predetermined spacing between the on and oif" contacts; and means for varying the predetermined position of any contact with respect to its support.

1'7. In a time control apparatus including a circuit, a supporting means having a plurality oi. on contacts for opening the circuit arranged in predetermined positions; separate supporting means having a plurality of off contacts arranged in predetermined positions, and spaced in a predetermined relationship with respect to the on contacts so as to close the circuit after it has been opened; means for varying the predetermined spacing between the on and oil contacts; means for varying the predetermined position of any contact with respect to its support; and means for restoring the predetermined position of said contact.

18. In a device of the class described for use in a system which'is capable of intermittent active on periods and inactive off periods, the combination of a clock mechanism, means actuated by the said clock mechanism for controlling the said system according to a predetermined schedule of intermittent on and off periods throughout the day, means for regulating the said schedule control of the system in accordance with the outdoor temperature, and means for selectively modifying the said schedule to change the relative on and oif periods.

19. In a device of the class described for use in a system which is capable of intermittent active on periods and inactive oiF periods, the combination of a clock mechanism, switch means, a carrier actuated by the said clock mechanism and supporting a plurality of elements operative upon the said switch means to inaugurate and terminate the said periods according to a predetermined schedule of intermittent on and oil periods throughout the day, means for adjusting the said carrier to regulate the schedule control of the system in accordance with the outdoor temperature, the said elements being individually positioned on the said carrier whereby the said schedule may be selectively modified.

WILLIAM SAMBUR. ABRAHAM NISSENFELD. 

